Dallas City Council Considers Changing Drilling Rules

Terry Welch is a member of the city’s Gas and Drilling task force, and presented his views of stricter standards. His views are not shared by a majority of task force members.

He recommends at least 1,000 to 1,500 feet between a gas drilling site and any building. Other cities, like Fort Worth, use a 600 ft set-back.

"Err on the side of protecting public health. If we enact weaker provisions it’s too late, there’s nothing we can do," Welch said.

But Dallas City Councilman Sheffie Kadane says a 1,000 to 1,500 foot restriction is unrealistic, unnecessary, and costly.

"A thousand feet it takes 134 acres to fill that site. At that it makes it kind of a a moot factor and possibly a moratorium on wells because you don’t have that kind of acreage to drill on," Kadane said.